On October 23, renowned Chinese sprinter Su Bingtian made a visit to Nanchang, Jiangxi, to participate in the 2024 Elite Training Camp for Athletic Talents. During his interaction with the young athletes, Su shared his own experience of daring to change his starting foot in order to break through personal barriers. He encouraged the athletes to never doubt themselves and to be bold in their attempts. Su also shared his aspirations to compete in the 2025 National Games, which will be held in his hometown.
The “Duowei Cup” 2024 Elite Training Camp, hosted by the Chinese Athletics Association, officially kicked off in the Jiangxi Olympic Sports Center in Nanchang. Su Bingtian attended the opening ceremony and engaged in meaningful discussions with young athletes.
Reflecting on his decision to change his starting foot back in 2014, Su recounted, “I struggled for a long time deciding whether or not to make the change. I asked many people, and most said it wasn’t necessary. But deep inside, I felt a strong urge to try. I wanted to break the 10-second barrier. It didn’t matter how others viewed it; what mattered was whether I could pull it off, so I ultimately chose to change.” After deciding to switch his starting foot, he set a goal to improve his performance within two years. During that process, he immersed himself in training, constantly pondering about his starting technique and how to optimize his power.
Ultimately, Su succeeded, running faster than ever and breaking the Asian record with a time of 9.83 seconds at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, making history as the first Chinese male to reach the Olympic 100-meter finals.
In sharing his journey, Su stressed to the young athletes the importance of self-belief. He urged them to voice their ideas confidently and engage in dialogue with their coaches, emphasizing that techniques should always be refined.
Born in 1989, Su Bingtian was 32 years old when he broke the Asian record. In an interview, he expressed his determination to return to peak physical condition and compete as an athlete in the 2025 National Games, perhaps in a relay event.
At 36, Su will continue to challenge himself in the competitive world of sprinting. Reflecting on his 20 years in the sport, he acknowledged the emotional and physical hurdles he faced, including multiple injuries and moments of contemplating retirement. “In 2019, after suffering a severe injury, I kept asking myself if I could continue. Through that internal dialogue, I realized I didn’t want to give up; I wanted to keep running,” Su explained. He likened himself to a balloon that, though deflated, could be re-inflated to soar again.
As the sharing session drew to a close, Su addressed the young athletes in attendance, reminiscing about his own early experiences. “In 2013, I came to Jiangxi with the national team for the first time and trained in Jinggangshan. Back then, Liu Xiang stood where I am now, while I was sitting where you are. We shared insights, and I believe that by 2028 and 2032, the Olympic stage will be yours. You will all become the stars you aspire to be. I look forward to seeing you shine for Chinese athletics in the future,” he said.
